Hi,
I'm currently in the market for a 4-door car. I'm considering the '02 Maxima vs. '02 Altima vs A4. Just curious what you guys think about these cars? The BMW 3 series is probably out b/c of the price. BTW, when did the A4 go to the new platform? '01 or '02?

I'd like to get a poll going but I can't figure out how to do it.


Maxima pros - 255 Hp. Horsepower king of the 3. Interior is very luxurious. Black leather. Navigation system. Largest trunk and back seat. White faced gauges.
Maxima cons - Old exterior styling. Too many on the road, even though the '02 taillights are different; it still looks like every other Maxima on the road. Cushy ride compared to the others.


Altima pros - 3.5L V6. 240Hp. Updated chassis and body style. Cheapest of the 3.
Altima cons - black leather not an option. No Navigation system. Dash gauge pods not as sporty as Maxima


A4 pros - 2.8L turbo. Incredible interior. Free maintenance for life of warranty Sporty interior/suspension. $400 mod chip boost horsepower 30-40Hp!
A4 cons - Most exensive of the 3.

 

A4 is new for 02 but wouldn't the bigger engine be the same in price as a BMW 3 series?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dbkelly
[B]
Altima cons - black leather not an option.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dbkelly
[B]Hi,
I'm currently in the market for a 4-door car.

 

The S4 is not a 2.8L, it's a 2.7 L Bi-Turbo and if the BMW 3 is out then I would assume the S4 would be as well. The A4 is offered with the 1.8L turbo or the 2.8L 6 cylinder. Of the cars you mentioned, the Maxima is probably the best all around car for the money but the Audi offers some tunability and a solid German car feel, safe and sporty. If it were me, I'd probably go with the Audi but the Maxima is a pretty solid choice as well.

 

I believe the 02 A4 has a 3.0L V6 220hp

 

I think the Altima gives you the best bang for the buck. I saw one on the road and it didn't look too bad. The restyling helped it a lot, and the new V6 engine makes it almost as nice as the Maxima.

 

Sorry, shamma1977, for some reason I was thinking the A4 2.8 was turbocharged! Sorry for the confusion!

Yes, the A4 2.8 is approx the same price as the BMX 330, but since the A4 was redesigned for '02, I'm thinking I could proabably get a very good deal on a new 2001 model. I mean, who wants to buy a '01 when the '02 is redesigned and "better"? Personally, I like the looks of the old model better. The new one is too boxy for my tastes. Too many hard angles.

Last night I started looking (web surfing that is) at a used '00 A6 2.7T. Should be roughly the same price as a new '01 or '02 A4, and has the same biturbo engine the S4 has. A '00 S4 is still $2-$3000 more than the A6, so that's still a little over my price range. Although the A6 won't handle as well as the S4, it is bigger! Having already test drove the Maxima, my wife (who is 6' tall) loves the back seat space. Now, every car we test drive she complains of the legroom in the back.

I like the Acura TL 3.2 Type S, but the interior doesn't really do anything for me. Don't get me wrong, I think it's very nice. My friend has a CL Type S and the TL looks exacly the same inside! Maybe it's a personal thing. But, you're right, bang for buck, it's a very good bargin!


Thanks for all your help! Keep you comments coming!
David

 

David, no apologies needed; no harm was done!.

I still like the A4 2.8, 01 better looking then the 02 in my opinion as well. Like derryck said, Audi's are good quality German cars, will give you that solid ride and feel.

Taking into account the car size (which I didn't before, thats why I recommended what I did previously), seems like the Maxima is your best bet, they've always been good cars with nice engines, lots of power and torque, great bang for the buck, get it with the manual transmission if you can! .

 

Did you want a stick?
If I want to spend low 20s, I'd take Altima.
If I want to spend high 20s, I'd take TL-S.
Sorry, I don't like the maxima or the A4.